Chief Rabbi condemns Methodists’ ‘misguided and deplorable’ anti-Israel motions
Motions backed at its conference included branding of Israel an "apartheid state" and an endorsement of BDS against Israeli firms deemed to be profiting from 'occupation'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has criticised the Methodist Church’s decision to endorse a series of anti-Israel motions at its annual conference as “deeply misguided and deplorable.”
Jewish News revealed last month how the Methodists were set to endorse a document titled “Cry for Hope” at the conference last week.
This included claims Israel was now an “apartheid state” and an endorsement of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israeli companies deemed to be profiting from “occupation.
On July 1st the Methodist conference adopted four motions on the topic of Israel and Palestine – including the claim the Jewish state was responsible for the “deteriorating situation” for Christians in Gaza and the West Bank.
A call to end all support for the British government’s military contracts with Israel was also suppoprted.
The Chief Rabbi tweeted his disapproval of the development writing: “That the Methodist Church are prepared to endorse ‘Cry for Hope’, a document that wilfully distorts the meaning of Zionism and seeks to legitimise the insidious BDS movement, is deeply misguided and deplorable.
“This does not bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians any closer.
That the Methodist Church @MethodistGB are prepared to endorse ‘Cry for Hope’, a document that wilfully distorts the meaning of Zionism and seeks to legitimise the insidious BDS movement, is deeply misguided and deplorable. 1/2https://t.co/7o3j1WGTnK
— Chief Rabbi Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) July 1, 2021
“Rather, it only serves to diminish Christian-Jewish relations in this country, and damages the very cause their Church purports to champion.”
On its official website, the Methodist Church confirmed it had received more resolutions on Israel and Palestine “than there has been on any other international conflict. ”
It added:”This has led to the suggestion that the Methodist Church in Britain does not treat Israel by the standards applied to other nations.”
But defending itself from such criticism it claimed: “Methodist people are passionate about countering injustice in the UK and worldwide.
“Our members benefit from the accounts of our global relationship partners in this respect.
“A number of resolutions at the 2021 Methodist Conference had an international justice theme.
“We consider fundamental human rights to be universal, although their realisation may look different in various contexts.
“The Central Finance Board of Methodist Church (CFB) investment policy with respect to Israel and Palestine has at its foundation the investment policy on Human Rights and Conflict. ”
Defending the decision to adopt the use of the term apartheid in relation to Israel, the Church said:”Cry of Hope argues that it is time for the international community to recognise Israel as an apartheid State in terms of international law.
“Apartheid has a precise definition under international law and not all situations of apartheid with be identical to that of apartheid South Africa. On this question Methodist Conference has not taken a view.
“The reply did note that the unilateral de facto annexation of a large part of the West Bank presents a very different situation to that which has guided the Methodist Conference in the past.”
The website stressed that the conference position in favour of BDS was not a new one.
It added:”The Methodist Conference highlighted the increase in antisemitism in the UK in recent years…. (and) has made clear its abhorrence of antisemitism on many occasions over 75 years.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
